Trump Lifts 50% of U.S. Sanctions on Syria

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, ending many U.S. economic sanctions on Syria. This move was in line with a promise he made to Syria’s new interim leader during a meeting in Saudi Arabia in May. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated that the action was intended to "promote and support the country’s path to stability and peace."

The executive order aims to reintegrate Syria into the international financial system, paving the way for global commerce and attracting investments from neighboring countries and the United States. However, sanctions on ousted Bashar Assad, his top aides, family members, and officials involved in human rights abuses, drug trafficking, or Syria’s chemical weapons program remain in place. Additionally, a major set of sanctions targeting anyone doing business with or supporting Syria’s military, intelligence, or other suspect institutions, known as the Caesar Act, will not be rescinded. These sanctions can only be permanently repealed by law.

The U.S. had previously granted Syria sweeping exemptions from sanctions in May, which was the first step toward fulfilling Trump’s pledge to lift a half-century of penalties on a country devastated by 13 years of civil war. Along with the lifting of economic sanctions, Monday’s executive order also ended the national emergency declared by George W. Bush in response to Syria’s occupation of Lebanon and pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and missile programs. Five other previous executive orders related to Syria were also lifted.

Sanctions targeting terrorist groups and manufacturers and sellers of the amphetamine-like stimulant Captagon will remain in place. The U.S. still designates Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism and the group led by Syria’s interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, as a foreign terrorist organization. A State Department official stated that the department is reviewing those designations.

Despite the lifting of many sanctions, some restrictions remain. The U.S. will continue to monitor the situation and may suspend the sanctions if certain criteria related to the Caesar Act are not met. The Caesar Act, enacted in 2019, imposes sanctions on individuals and entities complicit in human rights abuses in Syria. The U.S. will continue to enforce these sanctions and hold accountable those responsible for atrocities in Syria. The move has been met with criticism from some who argue that it sends the wrong message to the Assad regime and undermines efforts to hold it accountable for its actions. However, supporters of the move argue that it is a necessary step towards supporting Syria's economic recovery and encouraging foreign investment.

The U.S. will continue to work with its allies and partners to support a political solution to the conflict in Syria and hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses. The lifting of sanctions is expected to have a significant impact on Syria's economy, which has been devastated by years of conflict. The move is also likely to have implications for regional stability and U.S. relations with other countries in the Middle East. The U.S. will continue to monitor the situation in Syria closely and take appropriate action to support its goals of promoting stability, accountability, and human rights in the region.